The Third Annual Onyx Awards Benefit Gala, March 19, 2005

Onyx Awards announces our 3rd Annual Onyx Awards Benefit Gala. This award recognizes the achievements of outstanding African-Americans through out the state of Florida. Our Gala will be held on March 19, 2005 at the Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive, Orlando, Florida 32819, (407) 996-9840; Toll Free (800) 800-9840 or Fax (407) 996-2659, at 7:00 pm www.onyxmagazine.com.

Orlando, FL (PRWEB) February 13, 2005 -- Onyx Awards announces our 3rd Annual Onyx Awards Benefit Gala. This award recognizes the achievements of outstanding African-Americans through out the state of Florida. Our Gala will be held on March 19, 2005 at 7:00 pm. www.onyxmagazine.com, at the Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive, Orlando, Florida 32819, (407) 996-9840; Toll Free (800) 800-9840.

The Onyx Awards is presented by LBS Publications, dba Onyx Magazine. Our Gala was conceived in a means of giving back to our communities, and to give thanks to our Floridians that have work hard in their professional chosen fields of work. Our annual fundraising event creates a working partnership with community entities in order to encourage individuals, business, social and civic organizations to maintain a proactive presence in protecting the health, education and social status of the people we serve. LBS Foundation is a non-profit, and now a 501c(3) pending. As for the staff of the Onyx Awards, we are volunteers from all walks of life dedicating our time to both causes to make a difference. Consultant: Rich Black, Chairperson: George Oliver, Honorary Chairpersons: Linda Gonzales of Darden Restaurants and Mark Shamley of Tupperware Corporation.

About The Onyx Awards

The Onyx Award, sponsored by LBS Foundation and Onyx Magazine presents each year to African-American individuals in 10 completive categories. There are five additional awards (non competitive) given in the Humanitarian and Life Time Achievement category. The nominees have assumed a leadership role in his/her professional career path, and/or education, health, community services, (we know that success is the result of preparation, planning, and performance). Our corporate category the Harris Rosen Cultural Diversity Awards which goes to four corporations that have developed and achieved diversity with-in their company and for their work in the community, this Award is sponsored by Harris Rosen of the Rosen Hotels & Resorts.

All Profit For The March 19, 2005 Awards Dinner And Ceremony For The Onyx Awards, Will Be Contributed To Sickle Cell Disease And Education Initiatives. Why Sickle Cell Disease? First describe in 1910, there was no cure but due to someone caring, research has made a positive turn with a recent breakthrough that is still under study (a cure is underway). In the United States, about 1,000 babies are born with sickle cell disease each year and in this country, it affects approximately 72,000 people. The disease occurs in approximately 1 in every 500 African-American births and 1 in every 900 Hispanic American births. Approximately 2 million Americans, or 1 in 12 African Americans, and 1 in 16 Hispanic carry the sickle cell trait. Why Education? We chose education because without it, our entire system crumbles. Onyx Literacy Program partners with existing programs to help raise the level of academic performance among underprivileged students.

Please remember, that in these times of unprecedented economic growth there is an urgent need among the African-American communities to expand our traditional humanitarian efforts in supporting the above charities. LBS Foundation is therefore, assuming a leadership role in promoting educational improvement for our children through our Literacy Program and promoting Good Health through giving to the Sickle Cell Foundation. We are calling on the strength of our humanitarians in all walks of life to have a practical obligation and the strength to pledge and to give to these two causes.

Tickets are now available for the Third Annual Onyx Awards Benefit dinner and entertainment Gala, which is a formal affair. You can go to www.onyxmagazine.com and click on Onyx Awards Third Annual, which will be on March 19, 2005 at the Rosen Centre Hotel, 9840 International Drive, Orlando, Florida 32819, (407) 996-9840; Toll Free (800) 800-9840 or Fax (407) 996-2659, at 7:00 pm.

Note to the press:

Accommodations will be made for the press. Please present your credentials upon arrival.

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